Easy Almond Chicken Recipe

This almond chicken recipe recreates my favorite meal to order at a Chinese food restaurant. It features crispy fried chicken topped with a rich and nutty almond gravy.  I love making this almond boneless chicken when I'm in the mood for a comforting meal that's a little bit different from what I usually make.

The Best Chinese Almond Chicken

I have to admit, I'm obsessed with Chinese food! Some of my favorite recipes include my honey sesame chicken, miso salmon, and orange chicken, but my all-time favorite is this Chinese almond chicken recipe. 

The first time I made this recipe, I was blown away by the depth of flavor. It's savory, nutty, and slightly sweet all in one. The crispy chicken pairs so well with the creamy almond sauce, and the extra crunch from the chopped almonds takes it to another level.

The flavor is versatile enough to be served over rice and and veggies or noodles and eaten as a stir-fry. Or my favorite, just serve it over a bed of fresh lettuce to add an extra crunch! 

Ingredients

Another thing I love about this almond chicken Chinese recipe is that I usually have everything I need to make it on hand. I bet you have all or at least most of these ingredients on hand too!

Here's what you’ll need to make this recipe:

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup corn starch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• ¾ to 1 cup milk
• 2 large chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 2 tablespoon almonds, chopped
• 3 tablespoon avocado oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoon almond butter
• 1 ½ tablespoon soy sauce

How to Make Almond Chicken

Step One: Prepare the Almond Gravy

To get things started, take out a saucepan and put it over medium heat. Add the avocado oil and flour to the pan, whisking until a paste forms.

Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the minced garlic and the white parts of the green onions. Sauté them for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

To finish up, whisk in the almond butter and soy sauce, then add the chicken stock. Let it simmer on low heat for 10 minutes until it thickens into a creamy gravy. Then keep the sauce warm over low heat and move onto the chicken.

Step Two: Prepare the Chicken

One of my pro tips for this recipe is slicing the chicken thinly so it gets extra crispy. So first, slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and pound them slightly to ensure they cook evenly. Then season both sides with salt and pepper, then set the chicken aside.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, corn starch, garlic powder, onion powder, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in the egg and ¾ cup of milk to form a smooth batter. Another pro tip of mine is to add more milk a tablespoon at a time if the batter needs to be thinned out.

Step Three: Fry the Chicken

Now that everything is prepared, heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Dip each piece of seasoned chicken into the batter, making sure it’s well coated on both sides, then carefully place it in the hot oil.

Now fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Then transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack to drain any excess oil.

Step Four: Serve The Dish

Slice the crispy chicken pieces and arrange them over a bed of lettuce or your favorite base, like rice or noodles. Pour the warm gravy that you prepared earlier generously over the chicken.

Finish by garnishing the top with chopped almonds and the greens of the green onions. Serve immediately while it's nice and hot. Enjoy!

How to Store Leftover Almond Chicken

So, I have a confession, I've never had any leftovers from this meal. My family literally devours it, and I have a feeling yours will too.

With that said though, if you get lucky and have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Oh, then to reheat, I suggest warming the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over medium heat for about 10 minutes. 

FAQs About This Almond Chicken

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this recipe in advance. With that said, I only suggest making the gravy ahead of time and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave, then prepare and cook the chicken fresh for the best results.

Can I freeze almond chicken?

Yes, if you have leftovers and want to freeze them, transfer the cooled chicken to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. You'll want to wait to put the gravy on it so it doesn't get soggy. You can also freeze the gravy in a freezer-safe airtight container for a few months. 

What can I serve with almond chicken?

I honestly think it's delicious on its own, but if you're looking for some sides, it'll go great with some hibachi rice, steamed veggies, pan fried noodles, or a fresh salad.

More Chicken Recipes To Try

• Herb crusted chicken
• Fried chicken breast
• Oven baked chicken tenders
• Fried chicken legs